DETROIT (AP) -- The state-appointed emergency manager for the Detroit Public Schools says he'll fire a superintendent and make other changes to exert control over academic policies.

The Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News report Roy Roberts announced the decision Wednesday in a letter to employees. The move comes as the state's tougher emergency manager law signed by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder in December takes effect.

John Telford was hired by the school board as interim superintendent. He says he'll be "superintendent in waiting until we beat this in court."

A power struggle began last year when an emergency manager law was suspended for months and ultimately repealed by voters. Roberts remained on the job under an old law, which had fewer powers, but had been awaiting the new law's additional powers.